Ott Tänak does not adapt to the role of a humble team player. It is a blessing for the World Rally Championship, not a curse, writes Urheilu’s rally reporter Micke Suopuro.
Micke Suopuro sports reporter
“It was completely clear to me that they came way too hard. Was it clear to them? I don’t know.”
Hyundai team manager Cyril Abiteboul gave after the World Rally Championship in Japan Rarely strict statements in an interview with the rally site Rallit.fi.
Especially when the target was the team’s own driver. In this case, the absolute superstar of the sport Ott Tänak.
Abiteboul’s message was long and partly polished, but in a nutshell: Tänak does not play for his team.
Sunday morning’s exit in the final race of the season cost Hyundai an almost certain brand championship. According to Abiteboul, there was no need for “crazy speed”. Tänak may disagree: he was thirsty for the drivers’ championship.
The scapegoat had still been found, perhaps rightfully so. Tänak let his team down.
Even today, no one can deny his speed, but in recent years he has been far from his best.
In his 2019 championship season, Tänak showed everyone his speed. On the other hand, another side also emerged. Tänak unexpectedly left Toyota and moved to Hyundai.
Tänak left Hyundai after the 2022 season. The Estonian spoke harshly about the car’s performance throughout the year. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s management.
Luck was not found at M-Sport either, so Tänak returned to Hyundai. Cyril Abiteboul, who moved from the F1 pits to team management, seemed like a team boss that Tänak would also listen to.
This has apparently not happened. Even today, the level of requirements has pushed Hyundai forward. Abiteboul has clearly expected the Estonian to reciprocate.
Like the fact that Tänak would obey the team’s wishes even when his own personal success is in the balance. Abiteboul’s comments after the Japan Rally underlined this image.
Simply blaming Tänak unilaterally is pointless. Hyundai already has enough proof of what kind of driver Tänak is. Tänak is a top athlete and an extreme competitor. Uncompromising nature has made the Saaremaan a world champion.
Why on earth would he suddenly act differently?
It’s hard to see Tänak chasing the championship again next year.
Even today, the level of performance has dropped, there’s no denying that. In addition to Japan, Tänak lost the game to his own driving error in Finland and Sweden.
While at the same time a teammate Thierry Neuville collected points from all World Cup rallies, Tänak has nothing to explain. Confidence has suffered from mistakes.
It is difficult to see that Tänak could drive for the championship again next year. This is saying a lot, because Tänak has been a clear champion favorite throughout the past decade.
After Abiteboul’s comments and Neuville’s championship, it is only becoming more and more clear in whose hands Hyundai is. The garage is designed around Neuville, right down to the car. The car is not allowed to sit for today’s driving style either.
The Estonian ice man exudes an inexplicable aura of a superstar. Due to his unflappable nature, he easily slips into the role of antagonist, which is needed in all good stories, including sports.
Tänak does not adapt to the role of a humble team player. It’s a blessing for the World Series, not a curse.
Fans of the series can hope that Tänak will rise to his old level. Struggles for seconds Kalle Rovanperää against the victory of the rally have been the most delicious moments that the current World Series has offered.
Unfortunately, they have only been moments. As long as Tänak drives a Hyundai, the struggle will not be fully experienced.
I’d love to be wrong about this.